The
GangesRiver at the break of dawn, in Varanasi (Benares),
in northern India. Both the river and the city are
considered sacred by Hindus (fig.).

Though the source
of the river is in an unknown place high in the
mountains, it is first referred to by the name Ganges at
Dev
Prayag, a place located
at the confluence of two rivers, known only by their
local names as Alaknanda and Bhagirathi.